José Gonzalez.

Professional Background and Contributions

José González Fernández has dedicated his entire professional life, over 20 years, to supporting people in grief processes. His experience has taught him that each grief process is unique, different, and idiosyncratic, and that each requires personalized support. This deep understanding of grief led him to train at various universities, professional colleges, and psychotherapy schools, seeking the keys to efficiently accompany mourners.

He holds a Master's degree in Clinical Psychology and Health from the Complutense University of Madrid, a University Specialist in Clinical and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy from the Pontifical University of Comillas, a Higher Technician in Family Mediation, and an Expert in Psychotherapy with Children and Adolescents from the Official College of Psychologists of Madrid. Additionally, as a licensed lawyer (105554) and a graduate in Political Science and Administration, he brings a multidisciplinary perspective to his professional practice.

He has been a member of the Governing Board and the Clinical Section of the Official College of Psychologists of Madrid, and is currently a member of the Board of Directors of Psychologists Without Borders, an organization where he coordinates the grief program. He directs Apertus Psychologists, a specialized center where he works as a psychotherapist, supervisor, and mentor.

As a trainer, he teaches master's programs in grief and loss and experiential workshops for psycho-social-health professionals, combining theory and practice on grief, trauma, suicide, mindfulness, couples, family therapy, stress, counseling, caregiver support, team management, and personal growth. In recent years, he has participated as a speaker in dozens of international conferences.

His grief intervention programs have been tested with over 24,000 mourners, allowing him to develop a grief itinerary that includes directly applicable dynamics for consultation and theoretical-practical material to accompany and support ourselves in grief. His work focuses on helping individuals accept unpleasant but necessary emotions in every grief process, achieve a greater degree of self-awareness to better face future situations, and integrate loss to continue living.

As an author, he has published Accompanying in Grief (Editorial Desclée de Brouwer, 2017), which has already published its third edition, and Growing Through Loss / Grief: Growing Through Loss (Editorial RBA, 2020). His works have become references for professionals and individuals going through grief processes.

The therapeutic relationship he offers is a privileged space to understand where we come from, why, who we are, and who we want and can become. In the death of a loved one, in the breakup of a couple, or in any significant loss, his professional support allows for a more secure approach to each stage of the grief process, making decisions with freedom and awareness.